By Onome Oghenetega
The Oba of Benin, Omo N’Oba N’ Edo Ewuare II has again urged President Muhammadu Buhari to revoked the contract license of the Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC) over the epileptic power supply in Edo State.
He described the power situation under BEDC in Edo State as pathetic, appealing to the federal government to intervene in the situation.
The revered monarch spoke on Wednesday when he led traditional rulers and Edo Council of Chiefs on a visit to the President at the Presidential Villa.
The Oba while also urging the President to intervene in the face-off between the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Comrade Adams Oshiomhole and the Edo State governor, Mr Godwin Obaseki, said the crisis was affecting the development of the state.
Oba Ewuare II, while congratulating Buhari for winning a second term, prayed God to guide him in picking a formidable cabinet.
He seized the opportunity to call on Buhari to give two ministerial slots to Edo State.
“We pray the Almighty God to help you put in place a formidable team of men and women of proven integrity that will join you to take this nation to the next level.
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“Considering that Edo State is the only All Progressives Congress state in the South-South, may we crave Mr President’s indulgence to have two (ministerial) slots,” he said.
“Mr President, we as traditional rulers in Edo State are concerned about the crisis between Adams Oshiomhole, the APC National Chairman and Governor Obaseki.
“If this crisis is not resolved now with immediate effect, it may jeopardise the progress of the state.
“On behalf of the good people of Edo State, we kindly appeal to Mr President to use your good offices to intervene and stop this crisis”, the monarch added.
Responding, President Muhammadu Buhari admitted that the performance of his administration in the power sector was “not good enough”, saying that this called for more efforts by Electricity Distribution Companies to provide the needed resources and technical expertise.
He stated that the Federal Government would play its own part by improving the transmission of electricity.
But Buhari appealed to Nigerians for calm, while urging them to be patient with the Discos to deliver on their mandate.
A statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr Femi Adesina, quoted the President as saying that though his administration had put in its best to improve power in the past years, especially improvement in gas supplies, the performance was not good enough.
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“We are building infrastructure. We are doing our best, but, obviously, our best is not good enough yet”, the Presidency quoted Buhari as saying.
Buhari praised the monarchs for their combined efforts in tackling trafficking in persons and rehabilitating the victims, who were repatriated back home.
“I am pleased that you have taken up the fight against human trafficking and I know the effect of your intervention will be felt beyond our borders,” the President told his visitors.
Buhari spoke on the Benin-Abuja Road project and his administration’s efforts to develop the agricultural sector, “promising that more will be done to diversify and strengthen the Nigerian economy.”
